Network Access Policy, Information Technology

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Title: Network Access Policy, Information Technology
Policy Owner: Information Technology Services / Chief Information Security Officer
Applies to: Workforce Members, Students, and Guests
Campus Applicability: All UConn Campuses, except UConn Health
Approval Date: March 4, 2026
Effective Date: March 9, 2026
For More Information, Contact: UConn Information Security Office
Contact Information: techsupport@uconn.edu or security@uconn.edu
Official Website: https://security.uconn.edu

PURPOSE

The University invests significantly in maintaining a secure network that meets the academic, research, residential, and administrative needs of the institution. To ensure compliance with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations and  protect the campus network , certain security, performance, and reliability requirements must govern the operation of these networks.

APPLIES TO

This policy applies to all University workforce members,  students, and guests who have access to University Networks.

DEFINITIONS

University Network: The university network is comprised of the network hardware and infrastructure and the services to support them, from the data jack or wireless access point to the University’s Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) connection. The university network begins at the connection to the network (wired or wireless) and ends where we connect to the Internet.

Wired Network: The wired network consists of the physical cabling, infrastructure, and management systems that provide physical network access via an ethernet or fiber optic cable.

Wireless Network:  The wireless network consists of access points (connected to the wired network), wireless spectrum, and management systems that provide services via the UConn provided wireless networks, including UConn Secure, Guest, EDUROAM, and other specialty networks.

POLICY STATEMENT

The University Network (wired & wireless) is an essential resource for the University of Connecticut students, faculty, staff, and guests. The University Network provides a variety of critical services that meet the academic, administrative, research and residential needs of the University. Due to the complex nature of the University’s network, Information Technology Services (ITS) is responsible for the overall design, installation, coordination and operation of the University’s network environment.

Wired Networks

  • The wiring and electronic components of the network are deemed part of the basic infrastructure and utility services of the University. Installation and maintenance of that network are to be considered part of the “up front” basic required building and renovation costs and are not considered discretionary options in construction and renovation design.
  • Standards for the network wiring, electrical components, and their enclosures are defined by Information Technology Services (ITS), subject to Building and Grounds (B&G) oversight and are considered part of the University’s “building code” to which installations must conform.
  • Upgrades to our campus network will be done as part of a university-wide Network Master Plan.  This Network Master Plan will be coordinated with the University’s Building Master.
  • UConn Information Security and ITS Network Engineering operate the network security layer through firewalls, VPNs and other technologies. Units are required to work with these groups when implementing solutions involving secured networks or network segments. Units operating local firewalls and/or VPNs must give UConn Information Security and ITS Network Engineering administrative access to these devices and access into protected networks for visibility, security and diagnostic purposes. Information Security and ITS Network Engineering retain discretionary disconnect authority over all network connections.
  • Units proposing to design, install, maintain, or extend data or telecommunications networks must give ITS Network Engineering and Information Security access to/through these devices into the active network segments. This will give Network Engineering the ability to see beyond the secure points of the network for diagnosing problems potentially affecting the overall network.
  • Units wishing to design, install and maintain their own network must have their designs reviewed by ITS Network Engineering. All installations must conform to the standards set forth in the Telecommunications Design Standards published on the University Planning, Design and Construction Resources and Information page (https://updc.uconn.edu/contractors-working-at-uconn/). The requesting entity must submit technical specifications of the equipment to be used in the project, along with the logical and physical design maps, for ITS approval to ensure network compatibility and service conformance. ITS Network Engineering will provide the department with an approval letter, which can be submitted to Purchasing with the purchase request.  This requirement extends to all data and telecommunications networks operated or to be operated on any UConn campus or property (except those under the oversight of the Health Center), or operated or to be operated for any UConn purpose, whether or not the proposal includes connecting to or interconnecting with the main UConn networks or telecommunications systems

Wireless Networks 

  • The addition of new wireless access points on the University Network must be coordinated and approved by ITS.  Wireless performance is impacted by the architectural features, building materials, and furnishings of a contemporary workspace.  Construction and renovation projects must be coordinated with ITS and include funding for additions or adjustments required to optimize performance and serviceability of impacted wireless access points and systems.
  • On an exception basis, departments and individual faculty may install and manage wireless access points for specific programmatic needs. These locally administered wireless access points must be registered and coordinated with ITS prior to deployment to prevent radio frequency (RF) interference on either wireless network.  At least one individual in the requesting department must be designated as the official contact for the access point.  The official contact is responsible for the data and network traffic that traverses through the access point and appropriate access control and security configuration, as well as the regular maintenance, software updates, and replacement.
  • Any devices either not part of or that cause significant RF interference with the University wireless network will be considered a “rogue” access point or device.  ITS will pursue all reasonable efforts to contact the owner of the rogue device, and if necessary, may disable or disconnect them from the University Network. This includes devices and equipment that operate in the frequency ranges occupied by the University Wi-Fi network.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy and any related procedures may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Code.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

Questions about this policy or suspected violations may be reported to any of the following:

Office of University Compliance –  https://compliance.uconn.edu (860-486-2530)

Information Technology Services Tech Support –  https://techsupport.uconn.edu (860-486-4357)

Information Technology Services CIO – https://cio.uconn.edu

POLICY HISTORY

This policy replaced the Wireless Network Policy (05/15/2006) and Physical Network Access Policy (11/18/2008).

Policy created: August 30, 2021 (Approved by President’s Senior Team)

Revisions: March 4, 2026 (Approved by the Senior Policy Council and President)